Jarrod Uthoff probably won’t be eating another gas station deli sandwich anytime soon.
After finishing two 10-day contracts with the Dallas Mavericks and multiple stints in the D-League, the Mavericks announced this morning that they’re signing the rookie forward for the rest of the season.
OFFICIAL: The Mavs have signed Jarrod Uthoff to a multi-year deal!
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) March 29, 2017
https://t.co/mYXyZmNs5V pic.twitter.com/A4sBBU4hhg
The details aren’t fully available yet, but Mavs.com writer Earl Sneed tweeted that contract is beneficial for both parties.
Rick Carlisle says Jarrod Uthoff's contract is set up to where the @dallasmavs can make a "further commitment" to him this summer.
— Earl K. Sneed (@EarlKSneed) March 29, 2017
It’s been quite the journey for Uthoff in his first professional season. After signing with the Toronto Raptors as an undrafted free agent last summer, he spent most of the season in the D-League for three teams: the Raptors 905, Fort Wayne Mad Ants, and Texas Legends. Uthoff appeared in 37 total games and averaged 11.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.6 assists.
Uthoff mostly logged DNPs after signing with his initial 10-day contract with the Mavericks. He eventually made news for being chastised by Mav’s coach Rick Carlisle, who noticed Uthoff buying a loaf of bread and deli meat from a gas station during a road trip in order to save money.
Like Yogi Ferrell before him, I’m going to go ahead and guess that Uthoff’s breakout (if you will) game with the Texas Legends on March 25, in which he scored 17 points and grabbed eight rebounds, earned him his spot on the roster for the remainder of the season. If the stat-line doesn’t exactly turn your head, maybe Jarrod TAKING FLIGHT will:
Ladies and gentlemen, Jarrod Uthoff took a little flight tonight. pic.twitter.com/X5D4Wse4Db
— Ridiculous Upside (@RidicUpside) March 26, 2017
Here are his full highlights from the night:
Mavs assignee Jarrod Uthoff's night: 17p, 8r, 1a.
— Texas Legends (@TexasLegends) March 26, 2017
: pic.twitter.com/2hp6x3rLFt
The Mavericks only have nine games left in the season, but no doubt, it’s a victory for the former All-American. According to Twitter, the Mavs want to give the rookie playing time in these last few games to evaluate him, and he’ll suit up for tonight’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans.
It’s clear to me from the highlight reel alone that Uthoff has definitely improved his game, and with the rise of stretch forwards in the NBA, it’s ludicrous to think that there’s not a spot for him somewhere in a rotation next year, even if it’s not with the Mavs.
Who knows, maybe this summer we’ll see videos of Uthoff working on his one-legged step-back jumper with a certain Dirk Nowitzki...